What can we help find?

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Plants Fungi

Oakland star tulip (Calochortus umbellatus), Marin Municipal Water District, Mt. Tamalpais, © Rob Badger and Nita Winter
Park E-Ventures Article

Flower Power: Photo Exhibit Seeds Hope in Mitigating Climate Change

Supported in part by the Parks Conservancy, an exhibition of wildflower photos by Rob Badger and Nita Winter (through March 27, 2016 at the San Francisco Main Public Library) inspires hope in reducing the impacts of climate change. See more beautiful images, captured in our parks.
Past and present volunteers at the Redwood Creek Nursery closing celebration.
Park E-Ventures Article

A Nursery Closes, But Its Legacy Grows On

For 23 years, the Redwood Creek Nursery grew hundreds of thousands of native plants for restoration sites in Muir Woods and throughout the watershed. We salute the nursery with a video featuring lovely black and white photos, and voices of some amazing staff and volunteers who gave it life.
Small butterfly with open, bronze-colored wings, becoming blue towards her abdomen
Park E-Ventures Article

Where in the Parks Can You Find the Mission Blue?

It’s mission blue butterfly season in the Golden Gate National Parks, and you can catch a glimpse of this endangered species at Milagra Ridge. Learn about this diminutive butterfly—and the plant upon which its survival depends.
Weeding, gardening
Park E-Ventures Article

Def-eating Weeds: A Holiday Feast of Nonnative Plants

Across the parks, volunteers root out nonnative plants to help restore wildlife habitat. But did you know that those weeds can be quite tasty? Just in time for holiday meals, enjoy these recipes that use nonnative species found in the Bay Area!
Park E-Ventures Article

“Cat” Café: Quick and Easy Cattail Recipes

Chew on this: cattails, those distinctive wetland plants, make for a tasty snack (or entrée)! Step into our Park Stewardship test kitchen as we share tips on preparing and cooking different parts of the cattail. You’ll find these recipes to be the cat’s pajamas!
Presidio Native Plant Nursery staff
Park E-Ventures Article

Oh, How We Have Grown

In 1997, there was no organized nursery program, restoration work was relatively small-scale, and greenhouses were made of pipes and plastic sheets. From that humble start, Betty Young led nursery staff and dedicated volunteers in growing over 2 million plants. On the eve of Betty’s retirement, hear her story.
Mountain Lake Park
Park E-Ventures Article

Adventures with Stinky Plants: Part II

Dive back into the weird world of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), as we see how nursery staff and interns are demystifying the growing process for these fascinating plants that live beneath the surface of Mountain Lake in the Presidio.
Drought Tolerant Native Plant Gardening
Park E-Ventures Article

Feeling Proactive in a Time of Drought: Don’t Panic, Plant Natives!

With our unusually dry winter, you might be wondering what you can do at home to help reduce water usage. Liz Ponzini (Manager of the Tennessee Valley Nursery) shares her expertise, and tips you can use in your own backyard!
Park E-Ventures Article

Native Plants for the Not-So-Hallmark Holiday

Valentine’s Day not exactly your favorite holiday? Just for you incurable curmudgeons—here’s a bouquet of plants with some less-than-romantic names that you certainly won’t be hearing about in any love sonnet.
Acorns
Park E-Ventures Article

Acorn Gathering: A Fall Tradition with a Long History

Along with preparing plants for the busy winter planting season, nursery staff members are also keeping their eyes peeled for a signature seed of the season: acorns! Vital to our restoration efforts in the parks, they’re also important to the indigenous Ohlone tribes of the area.